2026 Spring National Conference Grants

National Conference Grants Awarded

Kelli VanderGeld, Andrew Augustin, Karri Bailey, and Robyn Robinson - HIVE Conference, Las Vegas, NV

2025 Fall Innovation Grants

Innovation Grants Awarded

Ashley Smith - Physical Education Teacher at Baker and Steeby, awarded a grant to install a rock climbing wall at Baker Elementary.

Jennifer Howard - Computer Science Teacher at the Middle School, was awarded a grant for a really unique 3D printing project.

Liz DeBoer - School Psychologist for the district was awarded a grant that will provide wiggle seats for the Middle School.

Joe Youngblood - HS Industrial Arts Teacher, wrote and was awarded TWO grants! One grant will provide students with a drum sander. The other grant will purchase an attachment for the thunder laser (purchased with a previous WUEF grant) to allow students to cut thicker materials.

Karle Timmer, Lisa Jones, and Laura Bowling - Special Education Staff at Steeby Elementary wrote and were awarded a grant for a communication board for Steeby's playground.

Scott Gundersen - High School Art Teacher wrote a grant to an XTool Laser for his art classes.

Brad Elders - Middle School Social Studies Teacher, wrote a grant to start a Middle School Drone Club.

2025 Fall National Conference Grants

National Conference Grants Awarded

Liz DeBoer - National School Psychologist Conference in Chicago, IL

Hannah Wright and Kelley Kukulies - Kindergarten teachers at Baker Elementary School, were awarded grants to go the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Orlando, FL

Nikkia Robinson - Middle School ELA teacher, wrote a grant to attend the TCTELA Conference in Austin, TX

2025 Spring National Conference Grants

National Conference Grants Awarded

Karle Timmer - Innovative Schools Conference, Nashville, TN

Rebecca Black - Educational Theatre Association Theatre Education Conference, Bloomington, IN

Jill Terrell, Jen Boeve, Amy Hielkema, Andrea Ford, Kelly Tiers, Suzanne Jurkowski, Katie Boyce, April Dare, Liz Santana, Jordyn Sturgeon, Maggie Rickstad, Karri Bailey, Andrew Augustin, Robyn Robinson, and Teresa Fulk, HIVE Conference, Orlando, FL

2024 Fall National Conference Grants

National Conference Grants Awarded

Emily Miller-Madaj, Shelby VanKuiken, Robin Sidebotham, and Madalon Veenstra - MASSW Conference - Traverse City, MI, $3,415

Hillary McBride and Lindsey Tuinstra  - The Summit RTI at Work - Austin, TX, $2,600

Amy Hielkema - Innovative Schools Summit - Orlando, Florida, $2,500

2024 Spring National Conference Grants

National Conference Grants Awarded

Santino Di Cesare and Karri Bailey - MASSP - EdCon 2024 - Traverse City, MI, $2900

Andrew Augustin  - Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence National Conference - Orlando, Florida, $2,400

Amy Hielkema - Innovative Schools Summit - Orlando, Florida, $2,500

2023 Fall Innovation Grants and National Conferences

National Conference Grants Awarded

Robyn Robinson - The Summit RTI at Work - Austin, TX, $1914

Katie Boyce - The Summit RTI at Work - Austin, TX, $1914

Rachel Cimek - National Association for the Education of Young Children - Nashville, TN, $2,460

Robin Sidebotham - Re-Emergence: A New Path for Social Work - Burbank, CA, $2,350

Cami Williams - AOTA Specialty Conference: Children & Youth - New Orleans, LA, $2,135

Innovation Grants Awarded

Wayland Union High School

Bethany Teeple - Keyboard Cases for iPads, $1,380

Jeff Braginton - CCA Trip to Camp Manitoulin, $787.50

Brittany Storey - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and bacterial transformation, $1,423.00

Karen Gabrielse and Reilly Brower - Hot Plates and Digital Scales, $5,068.00

HS Math Team - White Boards based on Building Thinking Classrooms project, $6,244.75

Wayland Union Middle School

Sara Burrows and Mindy Mattis - Wired Keyboards for iPads, $1,142.89

Laura Foster and Katie Swoffer-Galvin - Spring Bulb Flower Bed for Collaborative Community Helpers and Flower Dissection project, $635.00

Jennifer Howard - Circuit Playground Express, $742.00

Lindsey Tuinstra - Keyboard Cases for iPads, $3,450

Pine Street Elementary

Stacey Huyser and Cami Williams - Flexible Seating, $2,169.95

Steeby Elementary

Karle Timmer and Emily Miller-Madaj - Sensory Room Equipment, $1,360.00

Kelly Tiers- Wired Keyboards for iPads, $1,490.00

Suzanne Jurkowski - Sensory Walk, $459.66

2022 Fall Innovation Grants and National Conferences

 Click here to learn about our 2022 Fall Innovation and National Conference Grants.

2021 Fall Innovation Grants and National Conferences

National Conferences:

 Robin Sidebotham, Alexis Prins, Emily Miller-Madaj, and Rhonda Hulbert, School Social Workers were awarded a grant to attend the Michigan Association of School Social Workers Conference in November of 2021.

Innovation Grants:

Stacey Huyser/Cami Williams, Pine Street Special Education Teacher and Occupational Therapist, were awarded a grant for $675 to purchase two standing desks with fidget pedals and four mini under the desk pedal exercisers for classroom use.

Julie Phillips and Bill Byers, Middle School Social Studies Teachers, were awarded with a grant for $1250 to purchase Minecraft Education licenses for 7th grade students.

Nikki Hoogewind, Elementary Physical Education Teacher, was awarded a grant for $650 to purchase eight balance boards and 24 free weights for use in PE classes.

Jennifer Howard, Middle School Computers Teacher, was awarded a grant for $2085 to purchase fifteen Finch 2.0 Robots to allow for hands on coding experience for students.

Lisa Cross, Pine Street Teacher, was awarded a grant for $445 to purchase Minecraft Education licenses for her 5th grade students.

2019 Fall Innovation Grants and National Conferences

National Conferences:

 Cami Williams, Occupational Therapist ($1500) to attend The Well Equipped Therapist: School Based OT and PT Symposium in Seattle, Washington.

 Lori Howell and Laura Foster, 6th grade Science Teachers ($1305) ($1305) to attend the National Conference on Science Education in Boston, Massachusetts

Principals Grants:

Celeste Diehm, Elementary Principal ($3150) to provide Equipping Parent workshops to parents of elementary-aged students across the school district.

Innovation Grants:

Sarah Rollandini, WUHS ASL Teacher ($2500) to bring in Trix Bruce, a deaf performer and storyteller for a workshop with Wayland Union High School ASL students and an evening performance for the community.

Lisa Cross, 5th Grade Teacher ($815) to create a Makers Space in her classroom.

 Jeff Braginton, High School CCA Teacher ($368) to create a “Men of Honor” group for students enrolled in CCA. “Men of Honor” will help teach employability and social skills to students who participate in the program. 

Julia Goodyke, High School Guidance Counselor ($370) to create a “Strong Girls…. Stronger Women” group for students enrolled in CCA. This program teaches social and self-care skills to students who participate in the program.

Amy Huyck, Media Specialist ($1190) to purchase a 3D printer, 3D pen, and a cricut machine to be used in the High School Library Makers Space.

Kim Moore, High School BusinessTeacher ($440) to purchase a cricut machine for the school store. The cricut machine will allow students to make new merchandise to sell in the high school store.

Barb Greenman and Dave Robinson, High School Science Teachers ($711) to purchase materials for students to build solar cars.

Rhonda Hulbert, High School Social Worker ($900) to expand the Peer Connectors program at Wayland Union High School

Stacy Huyser/Cami Williams, Teacher & Occupational Therapist ($1250) to purchase flexible seating options for classrooms.

Cathi McCrumb/ Sue Boehm, 5th grade teachers ($1116) to purchase flexible seating options for classrooms.

 Amy Nelson, High School Math Teacher ($2609) to purchase 10 TI-Nspire calculators for CCA math classes.

Kerry Oostdyk, Math Teacher ($1800) to purchase a MacBook that will allow for the creation of a customized iBook for students in her math classes.

Greg Heisenfeldt, Journalism teacher ($1820) to purchase equipment that will enhance and support the growth of the digital journalism course at Wayland Union High School.

Dana Omness, 8th Grade Science Teacher, ($TBD) outdoor classroom materials.

2018 Fall Innovation Grants and National Conferences

Amber Knauf, High School English and social studies. Magoosh SAT test prep program to increase student SAT scores. Online learning platform.

Karen Gabrielse, High School. AP Chemistry student earn college credits through the college board examination. Program called Mastering Chemistry in an online learning management system.

Amy Nelson, High School. iPads, apple pencils, and accessories to be used for geometry instruction.

Julia Goodyke, High School, Counselor. Creation of girls group from unsupported environments to participate in sessions to learn about healthy relationships and lifestyles.

Barbara Greenman- High School, Solar car project, exploration engineering and problem solving.

Kim Moore, High School. Cat’s Corner spirit store request heat press for opportunity to provide Wayland apparel.

Joseph Youngblood, high school, industrial arts. This is our largest award this year, for a 4’X4’ CNC router for wood working students. We are funding $6,396.36 of the purchase, as the department has saved $8,782.89 already through fundraising and donations.

Rebecca Black, high school, drama director. Student attendance at Michigan Educational Theatre Association festival.

Jeff Kniaz and Erin Hager, High school, Council for Exceptional Children Convention

Sue Salhaney, Middle School. Middle school student council to continue membership with the Michigan Association of student councils (MASC/MAHS).

Sue Salhaney, Middle School. Middle school to provide a presentation on anti-bullying, cyber-bullying, and character building. Jim “Basketball” Jones to present

Carolyn Whyte, Middle School. Create of committee led programs that will foster diversity and

increase student and staff morale.

Rebecca Patterson, WMS/Pine Street, Art. Professional art display panels.

Susan Boehm, Pine street, news program. MacPro and Final Cut Editing tools for Pine Street News program.

Rebecca Patterson, WMS/Pine Street, National Art Education Association. Amount: $1,480

Cami Williams, Dorr Elementary, occupational therapist/ancillary staff. ID students with perceptual processing difficulties and remediate by using individualized overlays to support academic performance.

Aleisa Licari, Dorr Elementary Occupational therapy tools for classroom use.

Robin Sidebotham, Dorr Elementary, Social Worker. Boys on the Move running group to encourage life skills and physical fitness.

Lisa Neely, Baker Elementary, young fives. Sensory activities for the classroom.

Celeste Diehm, Baker Elementary, workshops centered on literacy and developing math skills.

Nicole Barnes, Baker Elementary and Steeby Elementary, National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention.

2017 Fall Innovation Grants and National Conferences

Marissa Hackbardt, Steeby Elementary and Amy Hielkema, Dorr Elementary were awarded funds to attend the National Council of Teaching Mathematics Conference.

Kelly May, Baker Elementary, was awarded funds to attend the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference.

Christina Johnson, Steeby Elementary, was awarded funds to attend the NWEA Fusion Conference.

Celeste Diehm, Baker Elementary, was awarded funds to host and provide books to parents during Parent Education Workshops.

Jeff Braginton, High School and CCA, was awarded funds to purchase Apple TVs for classroom use.

Kerry Oostdyk, CCA, was awarded funds to purchase the TI-Nspire App for her student iPads.

Julia Goodyke, High School and CCA, was awarded funds to support a counseling group at the high school.

Jill Terrell, Steeby Elementary, was awarded funds to purchase Osmo Genius kits

Amy Huyck, High School, was awarded funds to purchase an Mac Mini, Monitor, and Keyboard to establish a creation station in the High School Media Center.

Greg Heisenfeldt, High School, was awarded funds to purchase equipment to enhance daily news video productions.

Sue Boehm, Pine Street, was awarded funds to purchase equipment to enhance daily news video productions.

Sue Salhaney, Middle School, was awarded two grants. One grant will allow Mrs. Salhaney to take her student council students to the Michigan Association of Student Councils Conference. The other grant will allow Mrs. Salhaney to purchase a variety of materials to support CPR instruction in the middle school health class.

Lisa Neely, Baker Elementary, was awarded funds to purchase STEM bins for her classroom.

Barb Greenman, High School, was awarded funds to purchase kits to make paper with her Chemistry in the Community students.

The 3rd Grade Teaching staff at both Steeby and Dorr, were awarded a grant to take students to the Grand Rapids Public Museum to enhance instruction on Michigan History.

The 3rd Grade Teaching staff at Steeby was awarded a grant to purchase LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 kits for their classrooms.

Aleisa Licari, Dorr Elementary, was awarded a grant to purchase Michigan History books and field guides.

Sarah Rollandini, High School, was awarded a grant to bring in a deaf performer for her American Sign Language classes as well as the community as a whole.

Rebecca Black, High School, was awarded funds to take her theatre students to the META festival.

Leigh Ann Hill and Diane Martus, High School, were awarded with funds to purchase a heart rate monitor system for their new fitness classes.

Linda Bensyl, High School, was awarded with funds to purchase a Swivl Classroom recording system.

Rick Brown, Middle School, was awarded with funds to purchase audio and video equipment for his classroom.

2016 Fall Innovation Grants and National Conferences

The National Science Teachers Association Conference in Los Angeles, CA, to be attended by Lori Howell and Danielle LaJoye

The National School Social Worker Conference in San Diego, CA, to be attended by Robin Sidebotham

Nikkia Robinson and Laura Schreiber, Wayland Union Middle School, awarded funds to purchase theatre lighting for middle school plays. 

Andrea Brown, Wayland Union High School, awarded funds to purchase a Mac Mini, speaker, and microphone.

Tessa Potgeter, Wayland Union High School, awarded funds to purchase a Macbook in order to author iBooks for her classes.

Dana Omness, Wayland Union Middle School, awarded funds to purchase 3 MacBook Pros to create iBooks for science courses. 

Lori Howell, Steeby Elementary, awarded funds to allow students to experience place-based learning. Students will test water quality at two area farms and a retention pond. 

Sue Salhaney, Wayland Union Middle School, awarded funds to take Student Council students to the annual Michigan Association of Student Councils Leadership Conference.  

Aleisa Licari, Dorr Elementary, was awarded funds to purchase non-fiction reading materials for her classroom. 

Rebecca Patterson, Wayland Union Middle School, was awarded funds to purchase 3D pens to use with her art students.

Sue Boehm and Kelly Boston, Pine Street Elementary, were awarded funds to purchase BreakoutEDU kits. 

Katrina Brown, Baker Elementary, was awarded funds to purchase eBooks that can be added to Baker's digital book collection. 

2016 Spring National Conference Grants

The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL, to be attended by Karen Nofsinger/ Kelli Smith

Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America in Itasca, IL, to be attended by Rene Watkins

American School Counselor Association Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, to be attended by Lisa Gulch/Tricia Dole

Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in Austin, TX, to be attended by Amy Graham

International Society of Technology in Education in Denver, CO, to be attended by Cheryl Wilson/Karri Bailey

ASCD Conference Teaching Excellence, 2016 in New Orleans, LA, to be attended by Amy Hielkema

Midwest Kodaly Music Educators of America Divisional Conference: Kodaly-owa, Fields of Opportunity! in Des Moines, IA, to be attended by Diana Hall

2015 Innovation Grants

Aleisa Licari, Dorr Elementary, was awarded the Storia School Digital Library, to be used in conjunction with the classroom sets of iPads now in the elementary buildings. This is a customizable e-book library that maintains a record of reading progress.

Betty Onopa, Dorr Elementary, received a grant to incorporate yoga into her elementary PE classes. All students K-4 will be impacted by this grant. Yoga is beneficial to everyone, but has been found to be particularly so for kids with special needs.

Scott Hall, Pine Street Elementary PE teacher, was award- ed monies to create a CatZone at Pine Street. The CatZone will be an exercise room for Pine Street students to use. Finding new and innovating ways for kids to exercise is a very important objective.

Cheryl Wilson, K-12 Technology Consultant, was awarded On-Demand Video Professional Development for staff. She will create an on-demand video collection of current Professional Development sessions offered throughout the school year. Staff will be able to access this info on their own time schedule, as needed. PD sessions will be recorded and the on-demand videos created will be useful tools for years to come. 

Fall 2015 National Conference Grants

Katrina Brown, Baker Elementary, to attend Units of Study Reading Conference, K-2, in Chicago, IL

Nikkia Robinson and Rebecca Thebo, Middle School Drama Co-teachers, to attend The South Eastern Theatre Conference in Greensboro, NC. 

Fall 2015 Principal Innovation Grants

Carolyn Whyte, Middle School Principal was awarded a grant for the Middle School to improve study, employability and career readiness skills through research based strategies and personal experiences. One possibility is a Career Day, where outside agencies and parents are invited in to give students exposure to new professions. 

Celeste Diehm, Baker Elementary Principal was awarded a grant that encompasses all buildings and is geared toward increasing parental involvement by bringing them into the schools. Twelve workshops for parents are tentatively scheduled between October-May, to provide supplemental materials to use in the home, and communicate school improvement initiatives to parents. 

Click here to learn about grants awarded prior to the 2015-2016 school year!